ฟื้นความทรงจำเรื่องจำอวด

Abstract

Cham-uat or the Thai traditional Clown is one of Thai folk entertainments which dated back to the ancient period. It has been adapted from Karn-suadkreu- hat or Householder Chant, the recitation of the Buddhist texts performed by laymen. These two performances are mutually related for adaptation and borrowing to their own arts of performance. Despite evidences, the history of Cham-uat is still vague when its period of origination was. However, I-nao, the Play of King Rama II, is significant evidence of the existence of Cham-uat. The performance of Cham-uat can be categorized into two types, namely independent and intervening ones. The former is performed with the very short storyline aiming for amusement; the latter is performed to intervene and alternate various sets of performance such as Khon masked dance, play, musical folk drama, grand shadow play, shadow play, movie, etc. Cham-uat is known nowadays as çTaloké or çTua-taloké (comedian). The main purpose of Cham-uat is to entertain the audiences through both verbal expressions and gestures.